One moment changed everything, leaving you with injuries so severe that doctors say your life will never be the same. The medical terminology feels overwhelming, insurance representatives keep calling, and you're worried about providing for your family. During this critical time, you need clear guidance on what to do after a catastrophic injury to protect both your health and your legal rights.
At Dortch Lindstrom Livingston Law Group, we want to assure you that not only do our Texas catastrophic injury lawyers understand what you’re going through, but also that we’ve helped many other people come to terms with the profound impact of their accidents and take action against the negligent parties. Here’s what we recommend you do after your accident before the statute of limitations expires in two years.
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Identify Your Immediate and Long-Term Medical Priorities
Your primary focus after a catastrophic injury must be on receiving appropriate medical care. This typically involves a team of specialists, including trauma surgeons, neurologists, orthopedic specialists, and rehabilitation physicians. Each plays a vital role in stabilizing your condition and preventing complications.
During this phase, you should:
- Get thorough medical evaluations to document all injuries. Some complications may not be immediately apparent but could significantly impact your future care needs.
- Follow your medical team's treatment plan precisely. Proper documentation of your compliance and progress strengthens your legal case while supporting your recovery.
- Maintain thorough records. This includes anything related to your medical care, such as medications, therapy sessions, and any challenges you experience between appointments.
- Keep a daily journal. Track your ongoing medical journey in detail. Log your pain levels, limitations, changes in abilities, visuals of your injuries, and how it all affects your life. This creates a clear record of your experience.
Insurance companies often resist paying for this intensive early care, arguing that certain treatments aren't necessary. Our attorneys work with your medical team to document why each aspect of your treatment plan is essential. This documentation strengthens your case by showing the true extent of care required after a catastrophic injury.
Catastrophic injuries often require ongoing medical care long after the initial recovery period. Your future needs might include:
- Regular appointments with medical specialists to monitor your condition and adjust treatments as needed. These specialists track changes in your health and work to prevent complications from developing.
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation services to maintain function and prevent deterioration. Some patients require these services indefinitely to preserve their capabilities.
- Specialized medical equipment and supplies that must be regularly maintained or replaced. This might include mobility devices, respiratory equipment, or other vital medical technology.
- Personal care assistance to help with daily activities and medical needs. The level of care needed often increases over time as conditions progress.
As we build your case, the professionals at Dortch Lindstrom Livingston Law Group consult with various medical, professional, and life care experts to evaluate your true needs and losses.
Document Everything Related to Your Catastrophic Injury to Create a Strong Foundation for Your Case
This step serves two critical purposes. First, it creates a clear record of how your injury affects your daily life. Second, it provides your legal team with concrete evidence to demonstrate the full impact of your injuries. As you feel up to it, here’s what to work on.
Initial incident documentation. Record all details about what happened while memories are fresh, including:
- Weather conditions and time of day, if applicable
- Names and contact information for witnesses
- Photos of the accident scene if possible
- Any factors that may have contributed to the incident
Financial records. Along with all your medical bills and insurance statements, save documents related to other expenses, such as:
- Costs for medical equipment
- Home modification expenses
- Transportation and parking fees
- Prescription medication receipts
Employment impact. Document how your injury affects your work, including:
- Pay stubs showing lost wages
- HR correspondence about leave or accommodations
- Documentation about changed job duties
- Records of missed opportunities for advancement
- Self-employment income changes
Our legal team will present this evidence to insurance companies and, if necessary, to a jury to demonstrate why you deserve full compensation for your injuries.
Remember, in catastrophic injury cases, thorough documentation often makes the difference between receiving adequate compensation for lifetime care needs and settling for less than what you may be entitled to under law.
Why Catastrophic Injury Claims Are Different—and Why You’ll Benefit With Our Help
Standard personal injury cases typically have a clear endpoint: when the person recovers and returns to their normal life. But catastrophic injury cases frequently involve permanent disabilities that forever change a person's capabilities and needs.
The road ahead may seem daunting, but you don't have to walk it alone. At Dortch Lindstrom Livingston Law Group, we build strong cases that consider your needs now and what’s required for a promising future. This includes pursuing compensation for:
- Projected lifetime medical costs
- Required home and vehicle modifications
- Long-term rehabilitation needs
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Changes in quality of life
- Impact on family relationships
When you work with our firm, you gain dedicated advocates with more than 60 years of experience who fight to protect your rights and help you secure the results you deserve while you focus on what's most important: healing and rebuilding your life.
